Ever since I was introduced to the sense of taste, the primary two powerful food tastes were either Sweet or Salty. The two powerful added crystals to food are “Table sugar & Table salt”. Lets keep salt on a side for a while and highlight SUGAR.
Simple sugar is in the form of sucrose, the sense of sweetness that we all enjoy! I’m not talking about naturally present sugars that are present in foods such as carbohydrates, vegetables, fresh fruits/juices and in milk, but I’m strongly concerned with added sugars in our daily foods. Those sugar maybe present in any of our beverages, candies, sodas, cakes, cookies, caramel toppings etc. Think about it the next time you have your tea/coffee or more concerned I am when it comes to frappes and milkshakes that some people randomly snack on!
The daily-recommended sugar intake according to the FDA is 10 teaspoons (40 grams) as the “Daily Value” for added sugars for a 2,000Kcal. Daily Values are currently used on food labels to point out the recommended maximum intakes of fat, sodium, and other nutrients. That is why it is extremely vital to READ food labels. However the new AHA (American Heart Association) revision of Sugar allowance sets the upper limit at 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men! Which is even better to stay on the safer sides.
And for those interested in calorie control or trying to lose or maintain weight, I’m sure that every calorie counts for you, so sugar adds up on calories ONLY that’s why it’s called “Empty Calories.” The sugar in a muffin or a cappuccino will take a big portion out of your calorie allowance for the day without getting you closer to your daily goals for minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Ramadan is at the doors and it’s a good chance for us to clean out our bodies, and in this spiritual occasion I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my readers a happy healthy Ramadan filled with God’s forgiveness. However I believe that many dishes and especially sweet dishes are introduced, * “legaimat & basbousa” comes at the top of the list & not to forget the famous Ramadan cold sweet drink!
So be clever and have them in moderation. Make a sweet deal with yourself, that you won’t upset your bodies with extra “empty calories” that may be a reason for future diseases such as tooth decay, obesity, type 2 diabetes and so on.
Look ahead to achieve your Sweet Deal
Sweetests Regards
Dalal Al- Nukhailan| Nutrition Specialist
Health & Lifestyle Coach
**Legaimat & Basbousa= two very famous Arabic sweet dishes made using a high amount of sugar & sugar syrup.
Well written Dalal, I totally encourage ur great efforts, very beneficial article! Keep it up! :)
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Well done Dalal for the amazing article. Keep benefiting everyone with your knowledge.
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I stopped taking sugar a looong time ago. I can’t stand it now. I usually substitute honey for it but my concern now is the syrup type that is added to practically every product on the market such as frozen yoghurt and juice.
I do treat myself to a strawberry tart every now and then hehehe.
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Yousef Al-Qanai Reply:
August 14th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Honey is so much better than using sugar on your food.
Try honey mixed with oatmeal, and some almonds. (best breakfast ever)
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Ooh that sounds yummy; especially with Muesli, almonds, Brazil nuts & dried cranberries :D
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Yousef Al-Qanai Reply:
August 14th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Oh yah. Dried figs is also cool
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